Using a Mala in Your Meditation Practice
What is a Mala?
A japamala, or simply, mala is a set of strung prayer beads that are used in Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism for counting prayer or mantra recitations. In Christian religions, prayer beads are referred to as a rosary. (Wikipedia)
The beads are used for counting the number of times a prayer, recitation, or mantra (a phrase, word, or sound) is repeated. According to Wikipedia, many mala will have a 109th bead which is variously called the guru, Sumeru, bindu, stupa, or mother bead. It is often larger or of a distinctive material or color. (Kieschnick) In some Buddhist traditions, the mother bead represents Amitabha or Avalokitesvara. (Kieschnick)
The main body of a full mala consists of 108 beads, 3 markers spaced every 27 beads, as well as the guru bead. Malas also come in smaller sizes for the hand and wrist. The number of beads (108) is significant because the number 108 is considered a sacred number. The “why” behind the sacredness of the number 108 varies, depending upon the tradition.
How to use a mala
A mala is typically used as a spiritual object, but is becoming trendy to wear malas fashionable piece of jewelry. If you are using a mala in spiritual practice, each religious tradition has its own method for using a malas and the details are too extensive to get into on this post. If you are interested in a particular religious tradition, I suggest researching the proper usage in accordance to your religious tradition.
Wikipedia outlines the technical aspects of using a mala:
“The loop is draped over the index finger of the right hand and held in place by the right thumb of the first bead next to the guru bead. As each recitation is completed the loop is advanced by one bead. Some practitioners will hold their other three fingers next to their index finger so that all four fingers are inside the loop. Other practitioners will have only their index finger inside the loop, separating this finger from the other three (for similar reasons as in the next paragraph).
Some practitioners will drape the loop over their second finger (with their third and fourth fingers also inside) and use their index finger to move the beads towards the thumb. This is said to be symbolic of the atma (represented by the index finger) moving towards Paramatma (represented by the thumb) by the vehicle of the mantra (the beads) overcoming elements of the material world (the three other fingers).
The guru bead is not used for counting repetitions; counting for each round begins and ends with either of the beads next to the guru bead. In the Hindu tradition and some Buddhist traditions, practitioners who undertake more than one round at a time will, rather than moving their fingers across the guru bead, turn the mala around so that the same bead which was used at the end of the previous round becomes the first bead use for the next round. (Kieschnick)
While there are typically 108 regular beads, some practitioners will count a round as only 100 repetitions to allow for an accidentally skipped bead or an imperfect recitation”. (Wikipedia)
Three ways you can use a Mala in your meditation practice
focus on your breath
For your mindfulness meditation practice, you can use a mala to help you focus on your breath, using each bead to signify a single breath in and out. Make your way around the mala until you reach the guru bead. Repeat the loop if desired.
prayer or mantra recitation
For your transcendental meditation practice, you can use a mala to help you focus your mind while repeating mantras or prayers, using each bead to signify each repetition of the mantra or prayer. Make your way around the mala until you reach the guru bead. Repeat the loop if desired. You can choose your own mantra, or try the common mantra, “om” [awm].
recitation of affirmations
For your self-improvement self-help practice, you can use a mala to help you focus your mind while repeating affirmations. Personally, I like to recite a mantra that correlates to the stone bead I am holding. As an example, if I am working with a mala that is made of Tiger Eye and Obsidian (available in the Ritual Shop), I will recite “ I am strong and confident” when I hold the Tiger Eye bead, because of Tiger Eye’s ability to bring confidence and power. When I hold the Obsidian bead, I may recite “I stay focused on my goals”, because of Obsidian’s energetic ability to keep the mind focused on the task at hand and repel limiting thoughts.
Make your way around the mala until you reach the guru bead. Repeat the loop if desired.
References
Kieschnick, John (2003). The Impact of Buddhism on Chinese Material Culture. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press. pp. 118–138. ISBN 0691096767.
Wikepedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japamala.
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